Атлант расправил плечи

           Asshewaited,sheobservedthefirsttricklesofthepanicthatwassoontoengulfthecity:therewereautomobilesdrivingtoofast,someofthemloadedwithhouseholdeffects,thereweretoomanypolicecarsspeedingby,andtoomanysirensburstinginthedistance.

           ThenewsofthedestructionoftheBridgewasapparentlyspreadingthroughthecity;theywouldknowthatthecitywasdoomedandtheywouldstartastampedetoescape—buttheyhadnoplacetogo,anditwasnotherconcernanylonger.

           ShesawFrancisco’sfigureapproachingfromsomedistanceaway;sherecognizedtheswiftnessofhiswalk,beforeshecoulddistinguishthefaceunderthecappulledlowoverhiseyes.Shecaughtthemomentwhenhesawher,ashecamecloser.Hewavedhisarm,withasmileofgreeting.Someconsciousstressinthesweepofhisarmmadeitthegestureofad’Anconia,welcomingthearrivalofalong-awaitedtraveleratthegatesofhisowndomain.

           Whenheapproached,shestoodsolemnlystraightand,lookingathisfaceandatthebuildingsofthegreatestcityintheworld,asatthekindofwitnessesshewanted,shesaidslowly,hervoiceconfidentandsteady:"Iswear—bymylifeandmyloveofit—thatIwillneverliveforthesakeofanotherman,noraskanothermantoliveformine."

           Heinclinedhishead,asifinsignofadmittance.Hissmilewasnowasalute.

           Thenhetookhersuitcasewithonehand,herarmwiththeother,andsaid,"Comeon.